How do I raise a confident dog

German Shepherd Dog > How do I raise a confident dog (100 replies)

by magdalenasins on 06 July 2012 - 22:05	magdalenasins Posts: 238 Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:58 pm
Confidence or not you want your dog to bark just put it in a crate and frustrate it with a toy and put a command to it. No Schutzhund needed. Any dog will bite bark and look mean...
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by djc on 07 July 2012 - 01:51	djc Posts: 1258 Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2003 03:16 pm
Gustav, can you really say that MANY dogs do not do well even with socialization? I've never seen one that it did not help to become confidant that had not been abused or raised in a bad environment. I have NEVER seen a dog that did not benefit from socialization and it IS of utmost importance. So just what are you telling the OP? That even though he does everything right it still may be for naught? That doesn't sound like the advise/help the OP came for. Let's hear what you have to say to help him in his pursuit of building confidence. That is what would be beneficial to this thread and the OP. Dog "trainers" are a dime a dozen. For every trainer out there you will have a differing opinion on something. The social aggression stats come from WORLD competitors/winners, and street dog/police trainers, not just everyday sch trainers. I'm always up for learning and these many and varied trainers have taught me to be able to see the difference in dogs reacting out of fear and dogs that are strong and confident. Sometimes it can be very hard to differentiate as many of these dogs put on a good show. Very similar to a dog putting on a good show behind a fence. I will say it again, a strong confident dog WILL NOT be inappropriately aggressive. Those that are are pure and simply trying to chase away something that they fear. So, if you think that's not correct, Gustav, I'd love to learn what your thoughts are. Debby
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by Gustav on 07 July 2012 - 03:00	Gustav Posts: 2199 Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 01:47 am
Debby', You continue to make statements inferring that people are talking about no socialization. I gave you information on what one of the guide dog trainers said about the breed and confidence, which you chose to ignore because it doesn't fit your premise. They certainly aren't looking for aggressive dogs, but confident biddable dogs for sure. What would you have me tell the OP. ......the realities both good and bad. I find people respect honesty and Thr truth, even if it may not be good because they still can learn from it. Lastly, we see dog training and behavior aspects of this breed from two distinctly different levels. I think after 40 years and working with hundreds of dogs, unless I am mentally challenged, I might know a little bit about reading a dog....lol Let's just drop it, it makes no sense to relay my experiences, because you are not going to learn when your mind is made up. I think the OP can figure this out and will be in great shape.
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by maywood on 07 July 2012 - 03:26

maywood

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It's easy! Plain and simple, never hit the dog or try to dominate them. They instinctively know you are the alpha and no amount of beating on them will instill that any further. You have to be confident and secure in yourself and the dog will pick up on that and act accordingly.

Also, this is not a shepherd thing it is a basic dog thing. Dog's observe us much more than we observe them, so much so you won't even realize it. A dog will only be as confident as the owner I have noticed. Socialization has nothing to do with it.

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by Rass on 07 July 2012 - 12:14	Rass Posts: 303 Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:24 am
Confidence is largely GENETIC. Start with good Genes.. BOTH sire and Dam.. and you are on the right road. Poor confidence that is genetic can be HELPED with socialization and proper handling but you cannot CREATE a confident dog solely by training. It is "in there" or not.
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by Gustav on 07 July 2012 - 16:21	Gustav Posts: 2199 Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 01:47 am
@Rass.....that's pretty much understood!
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by Chaz Reinhold on 07 July 2012 - 16:29	Chaz Reinhold Posts: 1354 Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 04:59 pm
@ Gustav....are you sure?
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by Red Sable on 07 July 2012 - 16:41

Red Sable

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Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 09:55 pm

Rass, right on.

Debby, how many dogs have you had that matched your definition of confident?   "a strong confident dog WILL NOT be inappropriately aggressive"

I've had one like that. He was a dominant dog, and I'd love another like him, however, they are few and far between, I've found.

I've also had the opposite, one who'd run when confronted by a stranger. Socialization may help, but will not ever make a dog like that confident. Put him in a new situation, and he'd be back where he started.

I also disagree that a confident dog will not be inappropriately aggressive in all situations. Inappropriate to who? To man or the dog?
Some dogs such as the one I have now, just dislikes men (she has reason however) and will not permit them on the property unannounced. Once they are off (which is usually pretty quickly), she is fine. I would not call her a fearful dog AT ALL. She attacks head on, and shows plenty of fight drive without any training.  I'm thinking the 'send' is genetic too.
   She is fine with women, but men to her are evil.

As Rass stated quite eloquently, confidence is largely genetic,  and I've had enough GSD's to know they are not all the same in the confidence department.

In my early years, I never socialized because I used to think socializing would make them too accepting of strangers, however, time and different dogs have shown me, it really has little to do with it. It is either there or not.

Those who think it is crucial must have nerve bags for dogs IMO.

Edited by Red Sable on Sat Jul 07, 2012 07:46 pm :: spelling
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by Rass on 07 July 2012 - 18:27	Rass Posts: 303 Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:24 am
@ Gustav, Yes, it SHOULD be understood!
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by Gustav on 07 July 2012 - 22:04	Gustav Posts: 2199 Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 01:47 am
@Chaz Reinhold.....to those in the know.....yes.....lol Do you see this differently?
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by mfh27 on 07 July 2012 - 22:36	mfh27 Posts: 333 Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 07:15 pm
How does one not socialize a puppy to some extent? I find taking my puppies every where I go irresistible!
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by Gustav on 07 July 2012 - 22:54	Gustav Posts: 2199 Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 01:47 am
Everyone should socialize their dogs....period. In some cases it's crucial to the dog being balanced as it grows up. In others it's not crucial but still desirable. In other cases even with socialization, the dog has coping problems. This occurs to much in the breed to sweep it under the Bridge and just focus on the good results. My experiences in life have taught me that when you ignore or refuse to acknowledge problems....they usually get worse. Socialization is good for all dogs( I repeat this so there can be no confusion as to how I feel), but the importance of the genetic focus is when it comes to breeding stock. A dog that requires socialization to be confident I would never breed or want a puppy out of.
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by Red Sable on 07 July 2012 - 23:01

Red Sable

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A dog that requires socialization to be confident I would never breed or want a puppy out of.

Yup, that sums it up. Whole post is good.

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by Chaz Reinhold on 07 July 2012 - 23:01	Chaz Reinhold Posts: 1354 Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 04:59 pm
@ Gustav, yes. I believe it is 89.228%, not 90 % genetic.
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by Gustav on 07 July 2012 - 23:04	Gustav Posts: 2199 Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 01:47 am
We have to work on that .772 % in your thinkng!!!!
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by Chaz Reinhold on 07 July 2012 - 23:06	Chaz Reinhold Posts: 1354 Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 04:59 pm
Oh, and the fireworks are 97.65839291%.
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by Red Sable on 07 July 2012 - 23:19	Red Sable Posts: 5424 Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 09:55 pm

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by shepherdpal on 07 July 2012 - 23:24	shepherdpal Posts: 178 Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 02:34 pm
I agree that confidence comes more from genetics than socialization. I have known and owned GSDs that were socialized to everything possible but had weak nerves and were always a bit fearful and shy. I am sure this would have been much worse without the socialization. I have also known and owned other GSDs who had little socialization and just took everthing in life in stride because they genetically had strong nerves.
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by Chaz Reinhold on 07 July 2012 - 23:27	Chaz Reinhold Posts: 1354 Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 04:59 pm
Mrs. Sable, you had me at )....I find it funny how many are quick to point to genetics when it is sensitive to noise, etc, but when they piss themselves because of a stranger, it was either beaten or poorly socialized. I've had numerous GSDs. Some of the least socialized were the most social and strong nerved. Do your homework. What's that saying, the orange doesn't fall far from the bush?
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by Rass on 07 July 2012 - 23:32	Rass Posts: 303 Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:24 am
I agree that confidence comes more from genetics than socialization. I have known and owned GSDs that were socialized to everything possible but had weak nerves and were always a bit fearful and shy. I am sure this would have been much worse without the socialization. I have also known and owned other GSDs who had little socialization and just took everthing in life in stride because they genetically had strong nerves. ^^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!
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German Shepherd Dog > How do I raise a confident dog (100 replies)

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